9,100 Additional Michigan Workers to Receive Training Through over $6 Million in Job Training Grants

Communities Across State BenefitThe Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today that an additional 9,100 Michigan workers will have the opportunity to improve their job skills through $6,318,059 million in grants.Fifty-eight new grants, funded by the state’s Economic Development Job Training (EDJT) program, will be used to upgrade the skills of workers at another 66 Michigan companies.“In order to compete in today’s rapidly changing economy, it is critical for businesses and workers to keep up with the pace of technology,” said Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “These grants allow Michigan workers to advance their skills and potentially their income, while ensuring their employers remain competitive.” The EDJT program helps Michigan businesses create new jobs or retain existing jobs by improving the skills and competitiveness of Michigan’s workforce.Under the requirements of the EDJT program, employers must provide a 25 percent match for training existing workers.The funds are provided to local community colleges, vocational-technical schools or other training providers.These grants are a key element in the MEDC’s drive to train Michigan’s workforce for high-skilled, high-demand positions.Another important element in this plan is the 18 Michigan Technical Education CentersTM (M-TECsTM) across the state. These centers allow companies to train workers in skill areas specially tailored to each company’s skill needs and time demands.Currently, three of the 18 centers are opened to students: Bay De Noc in Escanaba, Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek and Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor.The Michigan Economic Development Corporation works in partnership with local communities and Michigan businesses to retain and expand job opportunities and improve Michigan’s overall business climate.